Chrysler Firepower (not the Hemi engine): Engraver Roland Robidoux’s Daytona
Roland Robidoux of Edgewater, Florida (and Canada) is a Mopar enthusiast. Here he poses with his 1987 Chrysler Daytona Shelby Z, equivalent of the 1987 Dodge Daytona Shelby Z. It was a Chrysler in Canada and a Dodge in the U.S. The 2.2 Liter Turbo II engine was standard in both.
Roland is an arms engraver by profession and in this picture he holds one of his masterpieces, a 1903 U.S. Army Colt .44-40 revolver, one of 64,000 made (the bullet is the same as in the Winchester lever-actions that “won the West.”) Decorations commemorate New York City and New York State in several typical symbols inlaid in 24-carat gold or carved into the ivory grip. The icons include a "Big Apple," the New York Yankees logo, the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, a subway kiosk, the Statue of Liberty, and the outline of the state map. On the Colt's barrel is the Chrysler Building, which is both a former location of Walter P. Chrysler's New York headquarters and a famous example of Art Deco architecture.
Not in the picture is Roland's other '87 Chrysler Daytona Shelby Z. It is a Radiant Silver model that he has been working on for nine years. It will be getting a modified 425 horsepower 1989 "common block" 2.2 liter turbocharged engine when it's finished.
Mr. Robidoux is also current president of the Halifax Mopar Enthusiasts Club.
